Is it worth staying stick for drag?
11-14-2010, 10:54 AM
#1
Is it worth staying stick for drag? Let me start by saying I have always been a stick guy and I love dumping the clutch at 6500rpm or higher and banging gears at WOT but it's getting harder to keep up with the repair bill.I have a very low milage T56 that since 750 miles it has been used for drag only and I have a low milage backup that has never seen any abuse or track use.I was planning on switching over to a McLeod soft-loc set up.For the price of that flywheel,pressure plate and clutch setup I could buy a built th400. I also need to buy a quicktime bell that has the removable plates to adjust the pressure plate. Thats about $650 shipped. That would be half the cost of a custom converter.The other factor is I Just installed a set of brand new 4.33 pro gears in the rear which I think would be too much gear for a TH400 with 28" tires.It's going to cost around $2,400 to stay stick and get the McLeod soft-loc setup and quicktime bell.For me to switch over to auto I'm thinking around $3000-3500 for everything from dipstick to driveshaft. Nothing has been brought yet and I keep going back and forth with what to do
11-14-2010, 10:59 AM
#2
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personally, i dont have a car that runs as fast as yours, mine was a high 11's car, but never had a chance to run it with the th350. I was the same way. A stick guy through and through. Then, I found a deal I couldnt pass up on a built th350, reverse manual, trans brake, etc. I traded my 6 speed for it, and man, I dont think I will ever go back. Its such a blast to drive with the full manual valve body. I didnt think I would enjoy it near as much as I do, but now that third pedal area, is where I rest my left foot. Man, its nice! And, for what its worth, you can pick an FTI custom converter up for just under 800.00 bones. so your 650.00 above is a little more then half ;-)
11-14-2010, 11:28 AM
#4
For your set up you can get a used th350 for $1500, maybe less but you wanna get a good one. My Rossler was awesome runing as fast as 9.5, 1.29 60's, shifted like clockwork everytime ( is for sale btw 
)
You can get a good used converter like a Neal Chance, like the one I just sold, for around $600ish. There's TONS of them on YB and at your power level you'd want to get an 8".
th350 driveshaft is same length as stock.
For around 2k you'd be set up, np.
)You can get a good used converter like a Neal Chance, like the one I just sold, for around $600ish. There's TONS of them on YB and at your power level you'd want to get an 8".
th350 driveshaft is same length as stock.
For around 2k you'd be set up, np.
11-14-2010, 01:00 PM
#5
But will I run out of gear with a 28" tire and 4.33 gears in a TH400? If I were to go auto I could also sell my spair T56 with flywheel and bell and hydro for around $1600 to help on the cost of the switch over which helps out huge on the cost factor. I also have a 3rd gen with a 9" currie rear that has 3.90 gears so that would be a option to steal the rear out of that. But as far as the fun factor. Dumping the clutch on the launch and launching off the T-brake I think have close to the same feel. But hows the rest of the pass compared to banging WOT shifts at 7000 RPM or more? As far as a TH350 I think that might be out of the question for me cause my car is pretty much full weight. Only mod has been a PA K-member,upper and lower control arms and the passenger and rear seats are out of it.
Last edited by 02SOMWS6; 11-14-2010 at 01:23 PM.
11-14-2010, 01:14 PM
#6
Cartek Alex has 4:56 gears. You don't run nitrous right?
So you're heavy, ok if u do go 400 you will still go faster, I think, with a good 8" converter over your m6.
Driveabilty with the 400 will be very limited when compared to your M6, ESPECIALLY with the correct converter unless u put an overdrive unit behind it.
IMO, yes you will go faster with the auto and good converter, you may or may not be able to leave off the transbrake, with your heavy weight weight transfer is certainly an issue which will make leaving off tbrake harder.
For more $$$$$$ you could go Liberty, best of both worlds. 6k gets you in, if I could afford it I would do it.
So you're heavy, ok if u do go 400 you will still go faster, I think, with a good 8" converter over your m6.
Driveabilty with the 400 will be very limited when compared to your M6, ESPECIALLY with the correct converter unless u put an overdrive unit behind it.
IMO, yes you will go faster with the auto and good converter, you may or may not be able to leave off the transbrake, with your heavy weight weight transfer is certainly an issue which will make leaving off tbrake harder.
For more $$$$$$ you could go Liberty, best of both worlds. 6k gets you in, if I could afford it I would do it.
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11-15-2010, 02:26 PM
#13
The one thing I will say with the Soft-Lok clutch and something I had researched for myself is basically the correct set up that goes fast and will allow the proper amount of "slip". The one big issue is longevity of that unit. More or less you can forget about street driving it.
IF not set up correctly, you will kill it and be out the $$$ for another soft-lok set up.
In the end it comes down to preference. Even SixSpeedsInc (formally T-56 Rebuilds) were ripping up custom modified T-56's on a regular basis due to the amount of power, and speed they were applying and like said they are out of biz today but even the fastest t-56 based trans cars frag the trans often.
IMO I would definitly be looking at a TH-400 or 350 (350's tend to be cranky with a trans brake which IMO you should have).
I currently still race the T-56 but even I know its a loosing battle be it if I am going to competitivly race or the fact that I will kill it at some point. Not a matter of IF, but when.
I suspect since I still drive 99% street, I will have a 4L80e in there but im a little ways off for now.
IF not set up correctly, you will kill it and be out the $$$ for another soft-lok set up.
In the end it comes down to preference. Even SixSpeedsInc (formally T-56 Rebuilds) were ripping up custom modified T-56's on a regular basis due to the amount of power, and speed they were applying and like said they are out of biz today but even the fastest t-56 based trans cars frag the trans often.
IMO I would definitly be looking at a TH-400 or 350 (350's tend to be cranky with a trans brake which IMO you should have).
I currently still race the T-56 but even I know its a loosing battle be it if I am going to competitivly race or the fact that I will kill it at some point. Not a matter of IF, but when.
I suspect since I still drive 99% street, I will have a 4L80e in there but im a little ways off for now.
11-15-2010, 06:12 PM
#17
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I was in the same boat as you went th-400 and the car has gained a ton ditching the 6-spd.I have RVMB and its fun driving it on the street with a big stall plus come to a light and its test and tune time car leaves so much harder puts a big old grin on my face every time I leave from a stop.Drop your rear gear ratio and you wont regret it going auto.Just way too many problems with the stick cars.
11-15-2010, 07:19 PM
#18
11-15-2010, 08:34 PM
#20
My best 1/8th went from a 6.97 with the T-56 to 6.59 with the TH400 with the wrong (4.10) gears for my setup. It picked up a hair more that a tenth in the 60' & 3 mph. Got the right gears know and hoping to better that. I think a good converter is key & my converter guy nailed it dead on I think.